Declan’s Eye-Catchers – By Declan O’Donoghue

BLAST OF KOEMAN (Robert Tyner) Strongly supported at Punchestown, but sometimes it’s just not meant to be. Rider lost his irons, they made a hash of the last and partnership very lucky to stay intact yet went down by only a neck to Patrick’s Park. It must have seemed a particularly long journey back home to the deep south, but there will certainly be other days.

GOLDEN SPELL (Johnny Murtagh) She never landed a blow on heavy ground at Naas, she was much better on a kinder surface at Navan when taking a fillies handicap under smart 5 lbs claimer Denis Linehan. To win a Listed Race is the trainer’s ambition now, and she could do that and more on summer ground.

HAZEL BAY (Dermot Weld) Pitched in at the deep end for her debut when second in the Salsabil Stakes at Navan, she was nearly a 16/1 winner for our Irish Racing Service and probably would have been but for totally missing the kick. A half sister to Youmzain and Creachadoir she is guaranteed to get a mile and a half. It was a nice way to launch her career as a three year old and with a trainer whose fillies and mares keep improving with age and experience, she is an exciting long term prospect.

MR FIFTYONE (Jessica Harrington) Noted staying on nicely in fourth in a handicap chase on ground softer than he likes. A good summer performer, he’s coming into form at just the right time and should win his share at places like Kilbeggan and Killarney.

PARK PADDOCKS (Gordon Elliott) Despite being just a four year old, there was plenty of confidence behind him for Thursday’s opener at Punchestown and he duly delivered. They are certainly not hanging about with him and he will be going over fences in the summer where full use will be made of his four year old allowance.

ROAD TO RESPECT (Noel Meade) Fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and third in the Punchestown one, it’s been a frustrating end to the season. He’s much better going left handed as we pointed out here before and next season he should be kept to Leopardstown and Cheltenham. The tantalising thing is we still don’t know whether he’ll fully get the Gold Cup trip on the Cotswolds, but he would be unlucky to have the ground as sticky again there next year.

SO PERFECT (Aidan O’Brien) Left in late but hit the target for Ryan Moore over five furlongs at Navan. American bred on both sides she will love better ground and stepping up from this sharp five furlongs. A Royal Ascot trip looks on the cards, but needs another race so a visit to Naas next Bank Holiday weekend looks on the cards.

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